If you're interested in a career in finance and accountancy then working towards the ACCA Qualification is your next step. Even if you have studied accountancy and finance at university you will need to complete a professional qualification to work in this industry. It demonstrates to employers that you have the skills and knowledge they are looking for. There are many benefits to being professionally qualified with ACCA:
ACCA is the global body for professional accountants. Our qualifications give graduates the essential skills and knowledge they need to become complete accountants. The ACCA Qualifications will equip you with the fundamentals that all accountants should master including financial accounting, management accounting, law, taxation, audit and risk management and control. But unlike other qualifications we also cover leadership and management, strategy and innovation and sustainable management accounting, paving the way for a future strategic leadership role. That's why employers want to employ ACCA accountants.
As a graduate you will want to be in control of your career and that's why ACCA is the right choice for you. We offer a range of pathways to qualify so you can choose what sector you want to work in and what area you want to specialise in as your career develops. And our unrivalled global network means that you will have access to a global family of finance professionals that can support you as you develop into a complete finance professional.
ACCA offers a qualification that gives you choice, flexibility, and global career opportunities. We're the only professional accountancy body to offer option papers, so you choose what you study. With the ACCA letters after your name, you can work in any sector, in any company, anywhere in the world.
The professional level of the ACCA Qualification has been set at the same level as a Master's degree. It's made up of four components: exams, exemptions, ethics and experience. Exams are divided into two levels, Fundamentals and Professional. You can see a breakdown of the papers on the page opposite. Entry to exams is open all year round, and if you've studied a relevant degree, you could get exemptions from the first nine exams. Ethics and professionalism are at the heart of everything we do and stand for at ACCA, which is why we dedicate an entire module to ethics. It will introduce you to a range of ethical ideas, and not only underpin your studies, but your practical experience too. In the accounting world, it's vital to know what it means to act professionally and ethically, and to be able to justify the decisions you make. Employers will have more confidence in your abilities if they see that you're able to carry out your duties with trust and integrity. Nothing beats putting what you're learning into practice.
So to qualify as an ACCA member, you will need three years' relevant work experience. We will assess your professional competence via the 13 performance objectives listed on the page opposite. The 'Essentials' are compulsory, you will need to do all nine listed and choose four of those listed as 'Options'. This experience, alongside your exams and ethical awareness, will prepare you for a challenging and rewarding career as a complete finance professional.
“As an internationally-recognised professional body, membership of ACCA empowers you to compete in the international job market and provides the opportunity to broaden your horizons to achieve what you want. It gives you credibility and respect.”
Ahmad works for the regulatory authority concerned with the regulation of corporate sector and capital markets, supervision and regulation of insurance companies, non-banking finance companies and private pensions. Prior to this Ahmad worked as a senior accountant in a firm of accountants in London and as a business appraisal officer in the commerce and investment department for the Government of Punjab.
Currently associated with DIN Group as Financial Controller, previously worked as Factory Controller in Siemens Pakistan Engineering Company, Muhammad Naveed Alam is a diversified and seasoned finance professional. Expertise in management accounting, cash flow management, analytical reporting, cost improvement, project analysis renders Naveed Alam with extraordinary skill set to train and coach people in commercial controlling and audit fields.
He acquired a Masters in Commerce with 2nd position and is currently pursuing his M. Phil. in Management Sciences with professional academics of ACCA, APA & ACFA to his name. This diversified learning has enriched his exposure for teaching, management, and training people throughout his 14 years of career path.
Pure knowledge, consistent development and professional excellence as his goals, he participated in several workshops arranged under the banner of ACCA including as Panelist in Train-the-Trainer workshop conducted by ACCA, in-house Siemens trainings, Lahore University of Management Sciences, University of Karachi, SAP, and NLP – the first institute of dynamic learning with completed extensive courses of various financial categories classified into six Training Areas: accounting, reporting, controlling, taxes, treasury and organization, compliance & management.
Having the honor of conducting seminars to his name, he has been a guest speaker at MAJU for 'Role of Cost Manager', PAF-KIET for 'Decision Making of Cost Accountant', Bahria University for ' Application of Capital Budgeting', University of Karachi for 'International Accounting Standard', and at KASBIT for 'Relevant Cost for Short-term Decision'.
He is also working as visiting faculty at KASBIT, University of Karachi, and Tabbani School of Accounting for courses of Business Finance, Cost and Managerial Accounting, Strategic Financial Management, Business Analysis etc.
“ACCA has given me not just an insight into the accountancy profession but also opened global avenues for me.”
As an assistant manager, finance, at Telenor Pakistan, a Norwegian mobile services provider Ali’s main tasks fall within the commercial finance unit where I lead a team of six that is responsible for liaising with banks and the commercial division and preparing financial reports in terms of revenue, collections, as well as meeting the banking requirements of almost 300 franchises.
“While working towards the ACCA Qualification, I had a part-time job but always set aside enough time for my studies. I prefer a balanced lifestyle where I manage to complete my work during office hours before allocating the rest of my time for family and personal commitments. I have given specific balanced responsibilities to members of my team so that no one feels under pressure – thereby ensuring a work/life balance is manageable.”
